HUGH Hefner’s legendary Playboy Mansion was left to rot and stripped by looters at the time of his death in 2017, insiders claim.
Hefner had sold the mansion before he died, but was allowed to continue living there up until his death aged 91.
New pictures show the famous party palace undergoing major renovations as its new owner tries to get it back into a livable state.
It was sold for $100million in 2016 under the condition that the Playboy founder could continue to rent it for life.
The pool where Hef held his wild parties has been drained, the grounds have been torn up, and the mansion is clad with scaffolding.
Sources have claimed looters raided the mansion and stripped it bare after Hefner died – with even pieces of the masonry being chipped away for souvenirs.
“The bedrooms – even Hef’s – were stripped of things like sex toys, gold-plated statues, used sheets and lingerie,” a source told US Magazine Globe.
“Valuable art was snatched from the walls – with imprints of the frames still visible.”
The patio furniture was stolen and pieces of rock taken from the landscaping in the mansion’s famous grotto.
Hugh’s gaming room was however spared as fixtures such as pinball machines were too large to be carried away by looters.
Its new owner, billionaire Daren Metropoulos has agreed to restore the house in its “original grandeur” as some city officials rallied to have it designated a historic landmark.
In an agreement, it was said the 14,000 square foot, 29 room mansion was in need of “substantial renovations and repairs following a long period of deferred maintenance”.
Mr Metropoulos had originally considered bulldozing the house, but instead decided renovate the famous estate.
The main structure is still standing but everything around it looks like it has been turned upside down.
All around the house the grounds have ripped up and earth movers can be seen working to clear the site.
The front lawn has now been turned into a car park, while the grotto appears to still be in disrepair.
The pool sits empty and the roof of the house appears to be being completely rebuilt.
After taking ownership, Mr Metropoulos said: “I’m extremely passionate about its architecture and look forward to this momentous opportunity to transform one of the finest estates in the country.
“As Mr. Hefner was aware, I plan to meticulously refurbish the property with the highest quality and standards in mind.”
Over the years, the home became famous for lavish, wild parties and Playboy Bunnies.
A-list celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Leonardo DiCaprio and Eminem all visited Hefner’s home.
The Hombly Hills mansion was also home to Hefner’s family, including his two sons Cooper and Marston, whom he had with his second wife Kimberley Conrad.
According to the Daily Mail, Cooper and Marston grew up in the home with a framed photo of their mother’s nude centerfold – which they said was “weird”.
‘LIKE AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME’
Hefner’s Playboy bunnies were also known to live in the mansion and were subject to mandatory 9pm curfews and film nights three times a week where Hefner’s favorite 1950s flicks would be played.
In 2011, a health and safety probe was launched after more than 120 guests became ill after visiting the pool.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health found the whirlpools contained the bacteria responsible for causing Legionnaire’s disease.
Hefner bought the mansion for $1million in 1971.
Playmates had previously revealed the mansion’s interior had been in dire need of updates for years.
In 2015, Carla Howe told The Sun on Sunday the house had a vibe like an “old people’s home”.
She said: “He almost never leaves home and refuses to change anything in the mansion, so the whole place feels like it’s stuck in the 1980s.”
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Carla added: “There is no velvet or gold and all the carpets are brown and curling.
“The only phones you see are old hang-on-the-walls and there’s nothing hi-tech, even the gym equipment has been there for years.
“And because nothing has been changed in the rooms for so long, they tend to have a damp smell.”